Henry Josiah Collins (1855 – 1900)

                                    Martha Collins (1860 – 1946)

Henry Josiah Collins was born in 1855 in Faccombe, near Andover, the son of David and Sarah Collins. He was baptized on 1 December 1855 as Josiah Henry at St Barnabas in Faccombe, David was a farm bailiff.

In the 1861 census Henry was recorded with his parents in Faccombe, his father David was an agricultural labourer. Ten years later in 1871 Henry was living with his parents, sister Emily aged 10 and brother Henry aged 8 at Hill Green, Leckhampstead. David was a farm labourer and Josiah an agricultural labourer. By the time of the 1881 census Henry was a lodger in The Wash in Newbury and working as a malster.

Henry married Martha Griffin in 1884 in Newbury district. Martha was born on 4 March 1860 in Weston near Welford, the daughter of Daniel and Sarah, nee Drewett, Griffin. In the 1861 census Martha was recorded with her parents and siblings in Weston, her father was an agricultural labourer. Ten years later in the 1871 census Martha was recorded with her mother Sarah and siblings in Weston. Her father Daniel was recorded at Malt House in Padworth and was working as a malster. At present no trace of Martha in the 1881 census.

In the 1891 census Henry and Martha along with children Henry Daniel aged 6, Sarah aged 4 and Albert aged 2 were living at 7 Smiths Cottages in Newbury and Henry was a malster.

Henry died from a fractured skull on 4 November 1900 while working at Newbury Brewery. An inquest was held which returned a verdict of accidental death. A full report of the inquest appeared in the Newbury Weekly News. He was buried in Newtown Road Cemetery on 7 November and an announcement appeared in the Newbury Weekly News of 8 November.

COLLINS – Nov. 4, at Marsh Street, Newbury, Henry Josiah, son of David Collins, of Hill Green, aged 43.

Josiah left a will and administration of his state was granted on 18 December 1900 at Oxford to his widow Martha, the value of the estate was £42.

A few months later in the 1901 census Martha along with five of her six children, Henry Daniel aged 16, Albert aged 12, Frederick George aged 9, William Frank aged 7 and Charlotte Elsie aged 5 were living at 26 Jack Street in Newbury. Martha was a charwoman and Henry a shopkeeper’s assistant.

Ten years later in the 1911 census Martha along with three of her children, Frederick George aged 19, William Frank aged 17 and Charlotte Elsie aged 15 were still living at 26 Jack Street. Frederick was a joiner’s assistant, William hotel boots and Charlotte a domestic servant.

In 1921 Martha with son Frank (William), daughter Elsie (Charlotte) and grandson Reginald aged 7 were recorded at 26 Marsh Street (this was probably the same house as 1911 with the streets renamed). Frank was a general labourer for GWR and Elsie a confectionery shop assistant.

Martha was recorded at 26 Park Street along with her grandson Reginald Collins in September 1939 when the national register was compiled. Reginald was a motor driver and driving instructor.

Martha died on 18 February 1946 at 19 Queens Road in Newbury, the home of her daughter Charlotte Elsie Newman. She was buried at Newtown Road Cemetery on 20 February.

Author: soper
©